Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-22
THINGS THEATRICAL.
Sen sati0naI stage Falls Lillian Lew
is--"Oniy a Farmers Daughter
Dramatic Chat

Is--"Onfy Farmers Daugnter -
Dramatic Chat
Miss Lillian Lewis, who has SO COM
pletely captured the theatre going pub
lie of America within the past three years,
was the first actress who introduced
fearful sensational stage fall" First
came Sara Bernhardt's fall when she
tainted in "Fedona." From the year
1900 down 10 Bernhardts time, emotion
al actresses had invariably tainted by
staggering up to the middle Of the stage
scowling freely, yelling My Gawd this
is t much, turning half around and fall
ling with the palms Of their han DIS flat on
the floor In "Fedona," Bernhard
gasped. fell half way against sofa. and
tumbled headlong to the foot The au-
dience caught it's breath. sprang to its
feet and shouted its applause. Some
thing new had been accomplished on the
stage Mrs. Bernard Beere. a woman of
enterprise, went over to Paris, saw Bern
hardt's fall, returned to London. played
Fedora. fell on the sofa at full length.
and rolled over with her head toward the
audience and Topped fiat on her back on
the stage. Cad. said the Euglish au,
dience, Fedora is a great play YOU
ought to see Bernard Beere fall. Pom
my soul, its great Fanny Davenport
went TO Paris, saw Bernhard fall, re-
turned via London to America, played
Fedora fell across the sof a,
rolledover and made $4,000 the
first year Mrs. Lsngtry. woman
of beauty. tainted away iu "Wifes
Peril" BY falling side ways on sofa,
hanging there for moment and then
slowly falling to the stage. "A Wife's
Peril" was a success. Lillian Lewis in
the Creole has discounted them all in
her performance in this play by falls
ling headlong down a flight of steps. 1t
is striking as well as very dangerous
feat as she runs the risk Of broken arm
or dislocated neck, but as the lady says
You wonder why | do SO seemingly
silly thing as to risk My neck. well you
see the public wants novelties and this
is one" In the last act of the Creole. -
Miss Lewis introduces another novelty
In the death scene instead of the hack
neyed, choking sobs and long drawn
signing and agonizing of previous
"CoTas," she crawls TO the feet of Duha-
mel, gives him the pardon aud says: I'm
dying George, won't you forgive me.
George helps her to her feet, and puts an
arm pityingly around her. she speaks
again: Forgive me George, it was all be
cause | loved you So At the Peoples
theatre in New York City last season, when
Miss Lewis fell at the end of the third
act, fair occupant of a private box
screamed and created sensation in the
audience. Apologizing laughingly to
the manager of the theatre afterwards
she said Il thought 1t was awful for
Miss Lewis to do SO full-hardy thing as
that; fall down the steps, and l was
annoyed by being betrayed into showing
my fright, but when she fell dead like,
at the end of the play, the tears came
into my eyes and l forgave her Her
supporting company will arrive Monday
morning. and rehearsals will Immediately
commence, her season reopening at
Harper's Theatre, Monday, January 81.
''oNLY A FARMERS DAUGHTER"
This time worn, but always besutif u!
and thrilling American play, and prob
ably the most successful American drama
ever written, will be presented at Hsr-
pers theatre tonight, by fine company.
under the management Of the veteran
caterer to the theatre going public, C. X.
Gardiner. The play is so well known,
and the merits of Mr. Gardeners cons
panies so undisputed that it is almost
impossible for us to say anything new in
its praise. Everything that goes with a
modern drama in the way OF stage
settings and suberb dressing is promised
HEARD IN KNELL's STORE.
That young Howard Of this city will
leave Sunday for Cairo, Ill to take the
position of second advance man ahead of
only Farmers Daughter Company i"
That Manager knell is sporting a
happy smile.
That he has engaged great company
TO support Miss Lewis.
That Baby Bindley" will be the at,
traction to follow Lillian Lewis a, Harp
pers theatre.
That the 6. A. r. intend to reproduce
their war drama The Spy of Atlanta"
That P. S. Mattox will leave Rock
Island in week ahead of the Lillian
Lewis party.
That from all reports the theatrical
business done in Rock Island this season
will compare favorably with any othel
town in the state.
That P. S. Msttox will do the booking
of attractions for fifteen opera house,
and theatres during the coming summer
in New York.